“The entry of an heir infers serious responsibilities, and therefore the year is allowed for consideration. The annus deliberandi commences on the death of the ancestor, unless in the case of a posthumous heir, in which case the year runs from the heir’s birth.” William Bell, Bell’s Dictionary and Digest of the Law of Scotland 47 (George Watson ed., 7th ed. 1890).
annus deliberandi
annus deliberandi (an-[schwa]s d[schwa]-lib-[schwa]-ran-dI). [Latin “the year for deliberating”] Scots law. The year during which an heir could determine whether to enter an inheritance and represent an ancestor. The period was later shortened to six months. See DAMNOSA AUT LUCROSA.
